It’s About Time !

It’s been awhile for this topic, BUT happily gas prices have dropped in recent weeks. Around these parts (VA eastern shore) this is the average price  we’re seeing this week.

Some stations are charging a couple cents more, some a bit less — we got a fill-up yesterday for $3.33/gal.

HOW are gas prices in your part of the country or world?

Since a road trip (yup, another one) is coming up in July, we sure hope that this trend continues awhile.

What’s in Grenville’s Garden?

This is where Grenville’s greenhouse once stood. It’s shown below in its new location. As part of our home (and yard) downsizing, it was sold in Feb. to our friend, Matt, who is putting it to great use.

Grenville’s plan was to plant the F&P’s 2012 veggie garden in the footprint of the greenhouse. Here’s HOW it’s doing as of this week.As you can see, it’s watched over by 2 “guard” flamingoes. They work cheaply and are doing a great job cause no predators have been spotted foraging in the garden.

In previous years, since relocating to VA from NJ, we’ve had large vegetable gardens that included corn, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, beans, eggplant, zucchini, squash, peppers. Not only was it a lot of work, but we had too much, too soon some weeks, There were lots of giveaways, freezing and baking. Last July featured our great veggie giveaway as we transported bags of veggies to NJ, PA and RI — we had a LOT of excess fresh veggies that wouldn’t keep took a July road trip to meet our new granddaughter Elizabeth. (YIKES, it’s almost been a year, soon we’ll celebrate her 1sy birthday with another road trip!) 

Grenville’s plan this year was to keep the veggie garden not only simple, but closer to the house. It’s been a LOT less work weeding and watering. We expect to have enough fresh veggies to keep us supplied with salad fixings and side dishes this summer.

The oregano and basil will taste great in fresh tomato salads.

Grenville’s already looking forward to the first red tomatoes . . .

They will go well with salad accompaniments of cukes & peppers . . .The beans are climbing their poles and the lone eggplant already has a couple of flowers.We’re hoping to be able to sample some of the garden output BEFORE the next road trip coming up in mid-July. And, maybe we’ll be transporting more garden giveaways, just not as many this time.

Friday Funnies

Here’s a couple of visual puns this time.

A-door this shot . . .

Rear views . . .

How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

Anywhere from $250 to $1,000 IF you drive in NJ with an unrestrained pet in your car because as of last week Fido MUST  “Click-It or Ticket” when riding in a car there.
Goodbye to those dog days of summer with dogs leaning out the car window or in the back of pickup trucks while heading to the Jersey shore. Just don’t tell some folks in VA about this cause dawgs in pickup beds are very popular in these parts. (Remember, currently we live in the South.)

As natives of N, and former pet owners, we were amused (but not surprised because, after all, it’s in NJ) to read that it’s cheaper for humans not to “buckle up” in a car. They face a fine of $46 whereas, drivers with an unrestrained pet of ANY type (dog, cat, bird, lizard) face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 — for each offense. So, the more loose animals in your NJ car — the higher the fines AND drivers can also face up to 6 months in jail.
 
YIKES no more doggie in the (car) window.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) teamed with the NJ Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NJSPCA) in announcing that anyone “. . . improperly transporting an animal (of any type) will face fines for each and every one under a new distracted driving law.”
NJ is now the only state where driving with loose pets in the car violates animal cruelty law. But, it’s not alone in tackling an issue of what some transportation experts consider distracted driving.

In a 2010 AAA survey, 20% of Americans reported letting a dog sit in their lap when driving; more than 30% reported being distracted by dogs just being in the car. At least half of those surveyed said they pet their animals while driving.

Residents in AZ, CT and ME can be fined under distracted-driving laws if driving with a pet in their lap. In Hawaii, it’s against the law for motorists to have with pets in their laps while driving; RI and OR are considering following suit.
Not so in NH where we hope to eventually move. The state motto is “live free or die” which is taken quite literally. NOT only aren’t there any distracted driver’s regulations, but also no regulation requiring helmets for motorcyclists.

So when we’re living there we can have our pets ride with us on a motorcycle while we ride with no helmet.

WOW and Thanks !

Welcome to Grammy Goodwill who posted recently and also became the 100th follower of The Frog & PenguINN.

WE appreciate ALL of you who read and comment on our ramblings.

Did You See It?

We sort of viewed the last time this century Transit of Venus that happened yesterday, June 5, or in the early a.m. hours today (depending on where you live in the world) – just not Up Close and Personal.  Why ? 

CLOUDS — this all-day overcast skies and VERY heavy cloud cover. It never rained in our location, just looked threatening all day, although some areas had heavy downpours throughout the day.

We went to the NASA Visitor Center/Wallops Flight Facility which was overwhelmed by the number of folks who showed up. By our rough count, there was over 125 adults and children, a standing-room only crowd for the auditorium presentation. The turnout surprised the staff who didn’t have enough protective solar viewing glasses and asked folks to share. That wasn’t necessary as the Sun never broke through the clouds.

Many folks left after waiting awhile, but we joined others in returning to the auditorium and watching live coverage via NASA TV.  And THIS is what we saw.

On this screen . . .

This was a live webcast from atop the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii. While it wasn’t the SAME as actually seeing the Venus transit, at least we saw it as it was happening. No, we didn’t watch the entire transit which occurred over several hours.

If you’re curious about WHEN the next Transit of Venus happens, it’s in 2117 — we’ll miss that one too!

Sketch Fun without a Pencil

Who needs a pencil and paper when the using the sketch pencil in Picasa is fun and easier than drawing too. Thanks goes to Ludwig of Café Ludwig for giving me this idea after he recently posted a blog on this topic. providing more details on the “how” it’s done.

These shots were taken in the Christiana Mall, DE where we made a stop while heading home from our recent PA road trip.

This is the indoor fountain shown above  as it really looks . . .

There’s many interesting photo posts at Café Ludwig. Ludwig has another blog, This ‘n That which he describes as “Ludwig's space with some fun, some tips, some insights, some computer skills for us older folks.”

Last Time This Century

Never let it be said that not much happens in our lives as on June 6 we get to witness a LAST time event for this century . . .

Luckily, Granville and I will be able to view it locally (about 6:09 pm) at the NASA Visitor Center/Wallops Flight Facility which will provide safety viewing glasses and a presentation. The Visitor Center is on  near Chincoteague Island, VA about a 40-minute drive from the Frog & PenguINN. Let us know if you would like to come along !

The Transit of Venus is one of the rarest astronomical phenomena and it’s happening in the evening hours of Tuesday, June 5. Venus is the second planet from the Sun; we live on the third planet, Earth.

Like a solar eclipse, Venus will move across the face of the sun and block light from the sun to Earth. During the transit, the planet Venus passes directly between the sun and Earth, becoming visible against and obscuring a small portion of the sun. Venus will be seen from Earth as a (very) small black disk moving across the sun’s surface. Venus is much farther away from the earth and it appears smaller and travels more slowly across the face of the sun. Transits are usually measured in hours (2004’s was 6 hours).  This transit will take about 6-1/2 hrs  and it won't happen again until Dec 2117.

Transits of Venus are occur in repeating pattern every 243 years. Pairs of transits are eight years apart separated by (VERY) long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years. The last one was on June 8, 2004. Previous transits were  in Dec 1874 and 1882. The NEXT Venus transits will be in Dec 2117 and  2125.

Most of North America will see the beginning of the transit in the afternoon and evening on June 5; much of Eurasia sees the end of the transit in the morning on June 6. However, it will not be visible from most of South America or western Africa.Venus transits were used to gain the first realistic estimates of the size of the solar system. Observations of the 1639 transit, combined with the principle of parallax, provided an estimate of the distance between the sun and the Earth that was considered more accurate than any other up until then. This current transit will provide scientists with a number of other research opportunities, including the refinement of techniques to be used in the search for exoplanets.

CAUTION — the same precautions used to observe a solar eclipse are needed to watch the Transit of Venus. Staring at the sun without appropriate eye protection can cause serious or permanent eye damage. So, if you plan to watch, just use proper eye protection.

Some online viewing sites for the Transit of Venus:

• www.transitofvenus.org
• Map of transit of  Venus: nasa.gov
• Details of transit of Venus: earthsky.org
• Observers Guide: www.space.com
• History of transit of Venus: astro.ukho.gov.uk

Graphics courtesy of NASA

Going to a Wedding

That’s what our PA road trip last week was all about – a wedding and time spent with family who travelled from various states,  including the grandchildren as the wedding was for their aunt.

After several days of family fun and together time – it was time for the BIG event – the wedding. The grands were dressed in their wedding best as well.

Back to the wedding – as the groom and best man waited . . .

The bride’s best friend and sister came first . . .

Followed by the bride and proud father; her mom was there in spirit . . .

First photos of the new Mr. and Mrs. and with friends.

Photo time followed with the sisters, then family members.

Proud father Grenville and his daughters and granddaughter.

Toasting and cake cutting . . .

Family good times . . .

First dance and more dancing. . .

A toast by the wedding photographer, the grandchildren's father.

A final photo of grandkids and their mom, smiles all around.

Friday Funnies

Gives new meaning to . . . Getting Your Licks In . . .

These calves were enjoying a salt lick at a friend’s farm.